USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1 > Part 50
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A SURGEON RISKS HIS LIFE .- Dr. J. F. Price, a native of Kentucky, and a graduate of the University of Louisville in 1867, began practice in Springfield In 1870. He was first associated with Dr. Buck, but later had his office on South Sixth Street. He was a tall and splendid looking mau, was generous and kind, and hls patlents were devoted to hlm. He performed considerable surgery, and at one time I saw him take his life in his own hands after an operation for closure of the throat from diphtherla. The operatlon was performed in Ridgely about 1883, and I believe the patient, a little girl, now a grown woman, is still living. The child was about to die with an accumulation of diphthe- retle membrane in the throat. Dr. Price per- formed the operation of tracheotomy, but at the conclusion breathing had stopped. He at once placed his mouth to the wound in the child's throat; and, by breathing Into the trachea sev- eral times, succeeded in reviving the operation of the lungs and finally brought the child back to Ilfe. This desperate means of resculng cases was not infrequent at that time, but often re- suited In the infection and death of the surgeon. The use of anti-toxin has largely removed this danger both for the child and the surgeon who attends.
THE "FLYING DUTCHMAN."-Dr. G. Wend- landt was a practitioner of German birth, with iong flaxen hair and beard, who lived for a
number of years in the old Lincoin homestead. He drove about the streets behind a fast horse, as If ou hls way to a fire. The name com- monly given him was the "Flying Dutchman." He finally moved to Wisconsin where he re- cently dled.
Dr. Jesse K. DuBois, a son and namesake of the well-known friend of Lincoln, practiced in Springfield for a time in the early 'seventies, later removing to Boise City, Idaho, where he successfully practiced, but died a year or two since, his body being brought for interment to Oak Ridge Cemetery.
LADY PHYSICIANS .- Dr. Amelia Hastings ap- pears to have been the first lady to practice in this community about 1870. Others who fol- lowed were Dr. Lizzie James, Dr. Aldora Tay- lor, Dr. Margaret Shutt .- a woman of unusual strength of character and learning, who was connected with St. Johu's hospital as patholo- gist at the time of her death; Dr. Elizabeth Matthews, whose practice began here In 1891; Dr. Clara Edmands, and Dr. Heleu Babb.
Dr. Fred L. Matthews came from Carlin- vlile In 1878 and entered partnership with Dr. Buck. He was soon after appointed surgeon to St. John's Hospital, which position he held until his death In 1891. He served as mem- ber of the City Council for several years; was also Surgeon General of the Illinols National Guard and consulting Surgeon of the Wabash Hospital.
LATER PHYSICIANS IN SPRINGFIELD .- Dr. W. S. McBurney, a native of Kentucky, came to Springfield In 1879. and remained here severai years, later removing to Wichita, Kan. Mrs. McBurney was a woman of benevolent charac- ter and executive ability. and became Interested in charltable work. which she pursued with a great deal of success during her residence here.
Dr. I. S. Hughes came from Greene County aud practiced here until his death in 1894.
Dr. J. G. Hall, located In Springfield in 1878. and remained here until his death two or three years since. It was reported that he had posed as an Indlan doctor in the earlier years of hls practice.
Dr. S. S. Clark came to Springfield from St. Albans, Vt., In 18SO, already somewhat advanced In years but of fine appearance and ability. He remained oniy about a year, when he returned to St. Albans and there practiced untli his death. Drs. J. W. Reilly, F. B. Smith, Wiison Stuve,
1
LAWRENCE Y. SHERMAN
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
Langiey Whitley, Frank B. Loose, John Scud- der Davis, Ralph Matheny and Edward E. Vin- cent are individuals who hegan practicing in Springfield in the early 'eighties.
Dr. Vincent was reared in Springfield, prac- ticed for a time with his father, Dr. J. A. Vin- cent, went on one of Peary's early polar expedi- tions, from which he returned with a large number of Esquimo curios and an interesting experience. He lectured interestingly here and eisewhere on his Arctic experiences, and after- wards practiced in Detroit, Mich., where he was accidentally killed by a street car.
Dr. George W. Shaver was raised in this county, but several years ago moved to Tacoma, Wash., where he has been a successful prac- titioner.
Dr. Ralph C. Matheny practiced in Spring- field for a time, then took up the study of the eye, which he pursued in Europe, then locating in Galesburg, where he is successfully engaged in practice.
Dr. Frank Loose, of a Springfield family, was a student in the office of Drs. Lord and Dixon, and after graduation he went to Washington where he became Lieutenant Governor of that State.
Dr. Wilson Stuve took a government position in Oklahoma, and practiced there until his death.
Dr. John S. Davis, after practiciug here for a time moved to Chicago, where he has met with success.
PRINCE SANITARIUM .- The Prince Sanitarium was removed here from Jacksonville in 1891. This institution was founded by the late Dr. David Prince, one of the very earliest practi- tioners of surgery in Iilinois outside of Chicago. He was widely known throughout Central Ilii- nois, performed many surgical operations in this city and had many patients from Sanga- mon County in his sanitarium while located in Jacksonville. He was a man of remarkable strength of body and mind, of lofty ideals and was held in high esteem by ali the medical men and the people generaliy.
Dr. John A. Prince, his son, continued the surgical practice of his father after coming to Springfield for twenty years up to the time of his sudden death from apoplexy Jan. 1, 1911. Dr. A. E. Prince had made weekly visits to Springfield for a number of years for the prac- tice of his specialty, discases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, to which the Prince Sanita-
rium is largely devoted. He was the first in later years in Springfield to specialize on diseases of this class, in which he is ably as- sisted hy Dr. N. S. Penick, hesides making reg- ular visits to other cities in Centrai Iilinois. At least six others are engaged in the same line in this city at the present time.
STATE SOCIETY MEETINGS .- Mention has al- ready been made of the formation of the Illinois State Medical society at Springfield in 1850, and its second meeting heid here in 1867. The next meeting held here was in 1878, and in 1885 the fourth meeting was heid in the First Meth- odist church, which had just been completed. In 1891 the fifth meeting was held in the Y. M. C. A. huiidiug (now the Unity building), corner Fifth Street and Capitol Avenue, which was of some historical importance.
Gov. Fifer delivered an address of weicome, in which he started out well enough, but fell into a facetious vein and began to make fun of the medical profession. A number of the mem- bers took exception to his remarks, and when he came up for election the next year, this in- cident was magnified and used greatly to his detriment, and had much to do with the election of John P. Altgeld as his successor. I always thonght there was no malice in Fifer's remarks and so expressed myseif during his campaign, but the fatal words had been spoken and could not be withdrawn. Gov. Fifer was shot through the right lung in the war and must have been skillfully treated to recover. I treated him dur- ing his term of office and know that he had a high regard for the profession.
The society met in its sixth session here in 1895. During the previous year the constitu- tion had been changed providing for the holding of meetings every other year in the capital city, and this would have been continued had not the committee on arrangements made a serious blunder in providing a meeting place. This was the Arion Music hail, corner of Fourth and Jefferson Streets, a large hall with fauity acoustic properties and in a noisy part of the city on account of its proximity to at least three railroad stations. The constitution was changed, and instead of coming here every other year, the society has met in Springfield only twice in the past sixteen years-a considerable loss to the city aud the profession in many ways.
THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY .- In 1900 the fif- tieth anniversary of the State Society was cele-
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
. hrated here and was attended by Drs. Boal and Thompson of Lacon, who wre preseut at the for- mation of the Society, Dr. N. S. Davis and oth- ers of the older members, and a large number of physiclans from all parts of the State. This meeting was held in the Christian church on South Fifth Street. Dr. Boal was then consid- erably over 94 years of age, hut was in posses- sion of all his facultles and as spry on his feet as a baseball pltcher. The banquet closed at 12 :30 a. m., and at a little later hour Dr. Boal was found in the Leland lohby smoking a blg, black cigar, balancing himself first on his heels, then on liis toes. At the last meeting held here in 1905 a picnic lunch with a band concert and vaudeville performance was given at Washing- ton park,-one of the most successful and ele- gant affairs ever tendered the State Society.
In 1899 the State Society began the publica- tion of The Illinois Medical Journal, the edito- rial office being established in Springfield, where it has since remained. The effect has been to increase the membership from 500 to 6,000 and to bring all physicians into close touch with each other.
SANGAMON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY .- The profession of Sangamon County was behind many other countles in forming a local soclety. Some efforts were made in the early 'eighties, and again in 1894, but without success. It was only in 1899 that a permanent society was formed, and regular meetings have since been held each month excepting July and August. The influence of this organization on the pro- fession has been marked, and while the soclety may not be all that it should be, yet the gen- eral iufluence has been beneficial. The total membership at the present time is nearly 100.
Sangamon is probably the only county in the State which has refused to open its doors to all regularly licensed practitioners. It is hoped that this serious error will be corrected in the near future.
LIST OF OFFICERS .- The officers of the Sanga- mon County Medical Society, since its organlza- tion, have been :
1899-1900-President, G. N. Krelder; Secre- tary, E. P. Bartlett.
1901-Presideut, J. N. Dixon; Secretary, B. B. Griffith.
1902-President, L. C. Taylor; Secretary, F. B. Fisher.
1903-President, A. L. Brittin; Secretary, P. L. Taylor.
1904-President, B. B. Griffith; Secretary, C. P. Colby.
1905-President, W. O. Langdon; Secretary, C. R. Spicer.
1906-President, R. D. Bern; Secretary, C. R. Spicer.
1907-President, A. D. Taylor; Secretary, C. L. Patton.
1908-President, C. M. Bowcock; Secretary, H. H. Tuttle.
1909-President, W. Ryau; Secretary, G. T. Palmer.
1910-President, C. S. Nelson; Secretary, T. II. D. Griffiths.
1911-President, G. F. Stericker; Secretary, O. H. Delchman.
THE NEWER CULTS .- In 1898 the name of the first osteopathic practitioner appeared in the Springfield city directory. This later cult, if go it may be called, had its origin in the State of Missouri, and for a time caused a stir in pro- fessional circles. It appears to be based on the theory that all diseases are due to some defor- mation or displacement of bones and consequeut disturbance of adjacent nerves and ligaments, aud that these may he corrected by some species of manipulation. While osteopathic treatment has at times effected heneficial results, the occa- slonal resort of its practitioners to the use of drugs amounts to acknowledgment that-like dentistry and surgery-it does not cover all hu- man diseases. There is a further recognition in the fact that a son of the founder of this system has recently graduated from a regular medical school. After a history of some fifteen years, it is estimated that there are two to three hundred practitioners identified with the oste- opathic system in Illinois, of whom forty to fifty per cent are women. At the present time there are nine practitioners of this school In the city of Springfield.
Eddyism-or "Christian Science"-is another modern cult which has practitioners in this city. According to the definition given by Gould's "Dictionary of Medicine," Christian Science is "an alleged system of Therapy; faith cure or one from it." On the other hand, the following is the definition given by Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy. the founder of this system: "The phys- ical healing of Christian Science results now, as In Jesus' time, from the operation of Divine
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
Principle, before which sin and disease lose their Identity In human consciousness, and so disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sh to reforma- tion." In other words, it is a combination of Christian faith and mental (or physical) heal- ing
While not induiging in the spirit of mere criticism, this recalls to the mind of the writer an Incident of 1896, when a long-haired indl- vidual by the name of Schlatter came here from the South and announced bimself a Second MIes- siab. His quarters were besieged for a time by a creduious crowd, but as he showed no dis- position to accumulate money, he is charitably believed to have been insane. Some who pro- fessed faith in his heallng power made money by selling handkerchiefs which they Induced him to bless.
LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH .- Some sort of local health administration has prevalled from the very earliest history, and the first board seems to have been created in 1843. It was composed of Drs. Spencer, Gersbom Jayne, Todd, Helm and Counciimen Francis, Mobley, Moffett and Bircball. In 1849 Drs. Wallace, Todd, Merri- man, Henry, Jayne and Helen were called upon to suggest a pian of protecting the citizens from cholera. These efforts for sanitary regulation were spasmodle and so continued for many years. This tople has been treated very fully by Dr. George T. Palmer in the chapter on "IIealth Department," and its general facts do not need repetition here. Dr. Palmer was appointed Health Commissioner in 1909 being the first physician to hold this office. The success of his administration has been so marked that doubtless a physician will, as he always should have been, the incumbent of this office. The epi- demic of scarlet fever, through which this city has recently passed, has given ample opportun- ity for activity of the health officer, and Dr. Palmer has also issued a sanitary map of the city, giving much valuable information regard- ing drainage and water supply.
MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE POOR .- The poor of Springfield and Sangamon County have been given good attention for many years by phys- iclans appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The City Physician has, by virtue of his office, looked after the Inmates of the county jall, and during the sickly season the physician usu- ally earns ali his money. The cheap rate at
which all the poor of the county are taken care oť at the hospitals already In existence, has made the erection of a county or city hospitai unnec- essary, and undoubtedly this arrangement. is much better than to have such a hospital under . the control of a mere political organization. Under such an arrangement and in a separate institution, the care wbich the poor are now receiving would be doubled or trebied In cost.
Springfield bèiug tbe headquarters of the Na- tional Gnard, tbe medical men have naturally been interested in their department. One or more have always been connected with the Guard and several have been Surgeon Generals, Assistant Surgeons or Majors.
CONCLUSION .- The story of the past has been completed, and it remains only to recapitulate and state the condition of the medical profes- sion in Sangamon County after more than ninety years of history. In the first decade it appears that four or five physicians entered practice in the whole county, then embracing a much larger territory than now. Last year at least twice that number entered practice in this coun- ty, and in some years the increase has amounted to eighteen or twenty, more or less thoroughly equipped for the profession. With a large pop- ulation and every one engaged busily in his own affairs, the citizens are not as able to judge oť the capability of those who would treat them in sickness as they were in early days, and are obliged to rely on the State authorities to reg- ulate the education and practice of physicians. When it is considered that the practitioners dealing with the public health In this State- physicians, dentists, midwives and druggists- number 25,000, it would seem that the common- wealth would arouse itself to the magnitude of the task, and take into serious - consideration the necessity of the case. This will be done only when the people are educated to demand tbe best possible preparation on the part of those seeking to engage in the various branches of the healing art. It Is a weli known fact that men who have graduated from schools utterly unprepared to give a thorough education, have been lleensed by the score in the past twenty years. It is ouly In the last two or three years that the percentage of rejections by exam- ination has amounted to as much as 17 per cent. Active efforts are now being made by those interested In elevation of the standard to pnt Illinois and Chicago In the rank wbich
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
they iong occupied under the administratlou of Dr. Rauch, as the State best regulated and with the highest standard in the profession of medicine in the Uuion.
In conclusion we may say that in its ninety years of history, Sangamon County has had a large number of respectable, learned and in- dustrions practitioners. While no meteoric lights have appeared, the practitioners have kept abreast of the times, and in the past twenty-five years have attracted patients from this and other States, who have entered the hospitals for diagnosis and treatment of their aliments. The recent additions to the equip- ment of St. Johu's hospital have been a patho- logical department and au X-ray machine of the highest efficiency. These, together with the most modern operating theaters and appliances for anaesthesia, make the hospital the peer of any in the conntry.
CHAPTER XX.
DENTISTRY.
INCREASING DEMAND FOR HIGHER GRADES OF PRO- FESSIONAL SERVICE-MODERN DEVELOPMENT OF DENTISTRY- THE DENTIST ASSIGNED A SPECIAL RANK IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION-SOME OF THE EARLY DENTISTS OF SPRINGFIELD-RECOGNI- TION OF THEIR MERITS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE-SPRINGFIELD'S ONLY LADY DENTIST- MOST NOTABLE MEMBERS OF TIIE PROFESSION IN 1890-THE SANGAMON-MENARD DENTAL SOCIETY -LIST OF RESIOENT DENTISTS IN SPRINGFIELD IN 1910.
(By Dr. Grafton Monroe.)
The growth of every community is generaliy attended by increasing demands for the higher grades of professional services along all lines. In the supply to meet this demand there are always found men who can render the people the best service.
Dentistry, though stlil young in the period of development and usefulness to the people, has passed from its primitive stage when. as
inany of our older citizens, even today, could tell ns, the extraction of a tooth by the physi- cian, or possibly by the barber, and the cupping process applied by the latter for the rellef of an abscess, constituted the dentistry of the village. There is no branch of the healing art that has a right to any higher place in the esteem of the people than that of dentistry, so much so that dentistry has assnmed the proportions of a distinct and separate profession.
The medical profession has appreciated the valne of dental service, and in all Interna- tional Congresses of Medicine separate piaces are assigned on the programme for the dentist, as well as the Oculist, Aurist and Rhinologist.
The standing of dentistry has passed from the hands of those who practiced it in connection with other services rendered to the public, and has, as stated, come to a place where men of high character, as well as skill, now grace its ranks.
Before passing to any description of those who now make up the best element of the profession and are enjoying the patronage of the public, it might be weli to mention a few of those who enjoyed public favor among the citizens of Springfield, as far back as twenty-five years ago. Among these were Dr. M. H. Patten, Dr. Bab- cock, Dr. A. W. French, Dr. C. Stoddard Smith, and, iater, Dr. K. B. Davis, Dr. LeCron and Dr. Primrose.
Dr. M. H. Patton enjoyed the fruits of a good practice and was known for his love of horses, being often recognized by his team of fine ani- muals, with which he made many excursions through onr city. His professional ability was above mediocre, eise he could not have heid the practice he did.
Dr. A. W. French was a man known in Springfield for his literary attainments even better than for his dental skiii, yet for a long time he enjoyed a good practice and many citl- zens today can recali him as a man who, in his time, filled an important place in the dental ranks. In his early professional life ile was active in the Illinois State Dental Society, of which he was one of the charter members, though not continuously identified with it through his life. He always maintained a high ethical standard and wlil ever be recognized as one of the high-bred gentlemen who have graced the dental ranks.
Dr. Babcock was also one of Springfieid's
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GEORGE P. SIDENER
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
early deutists and was just about closing his career in the carly 'eighties of the last century. Many citizens will remember him for his ex- ceptional skill in gold work, especially in the days when dentists were compeiied to ailoy their goid piate or else nse exclusively gold coius roiled into piate.
When the writer of this sketch first entered the practice of dentistry in Springfield in 1888, Dr. C. Stoddard Smith was prominent here, and was a member of the Illinois State Board of Dental Examiners. He did not remain long in practice after that year, but was succeeded by Dr. K. B. Davis, who handled a large practice for many years. For a few years he was assisted by Dr. Edmund Lambert who later went into a separate practice and still enjoys a good patron- age.
Dr. K. B. Davis during his iong career was aiways active in State Society meetings, often in some officiai capacity, or eise in the reading of a paper or in discussions which pertained to deutal subjects. He was a student and faith- fui devotee in all things dental, and a man of very strict ethicai ideas.
In the rank of practitioners in this iine was one lady dentist, Mrs. Jennie Spurrier, who dis- charged her dnty well among those of her own sex, as well as among children, but whose work consisted largely in the use of piastic materials and vuicanite piate work. She made a com- fortabie living and retired to live on'a farm in Texas.
The recent deaths of Dr. A. W. French and Dr. K. B. Davis removed the oidest members of the profession from our midst, leaving the writer of this articie as the senior practitioner in the field of dentistry in this community.
In 1890 the ranks of the profession included among its practitioners, worthy of mention the following :
Dr. LeCron and Dr. Primrose, who formed a strong team and did a large amount of com- mendable work, by which they reaped quite a successful harvest. Dr. Lesiie LeCron was really the head of this firm, and was skiliful in extensive use of crown and bridge work.
Little attempt has been made at exactness of dates at which these various practitioners be- gan and ended their careers in this community, but it was stated at the outset of this article that it would be devoted to observations con- cerning a period of the twenty-five years prev-
ious to 1910. During this time our community has also had many dentists of the kind known al- most entirely by their blatent advertising of their self-estimated skili aud superiority, but they have come and gone, mauy of their pa- trons being sad that they ever submitted them- seives as subjects for their work. At the pres- ent time the dentists who are most deserving of public patronage, and whose abilities to render service in aii lines in up-to-date dentistry, commensurate with the high class of dentai education obtainabie in these days, are those who make up the list of membership in our Locai Society, known as Sangamo-Menard Dental Society, who are aiso affiliated with the Iili- nois State Dentai Society.
That no specially invidious distinction may be given any oue, a list of the uames of the mem- bership of the Sangamo-Meuard Dental So- ciety is herewith submitted, with the year of en- trance into practice of dentistry in Springfieid.
The list of resident dentists in Springfield, given in alphabetical order, is as follows:
Names. Year.
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